Compound butter is a fancy schmancy term for butter with other stuff added in. We’ve all had it at least once – garlic butter. What about the honey butter that they serve at some steakhouses? Yep. Compound butter. Continue reading
Category Archives: Basics
Lychee and Plum Chutney
I know. When you read the whole Plum and Lychee Chutney tag your mouth got all set for Asian. This isn’t – well, not really. It is more of an Asian-Texan Mash-up. With authority. That means you sit up and take notice of it.
First of all, you have to know how this got started. I love toast and jam. My kids won’t make toast for me because I like it just so, and I have been known to send the toast back to be made again because it lacks the characteristics I desire. I don’t think asking for hot toast, a slather of melted butter, and a smidge of jam is a lot to ask but there you go. It’s all about perception, isn’t it? Continue reading
Easy, Edible Minion Cupcake Toppers
I have three kids with July birthdays in the first two weeks so parties are usually planned as one large event. This year we missed Matthew because he is in Korea, happily ensconced in adulthood. He turned 20 today, actually. Sigh. So hard to believe.
Kyrie’s birthday is on the first and Nick’s is on the third so having a party that both will enjoy is imperative. Since Despicable Me is a favorite move AND since I had pinned some adorable Minion cupcakes on Pinterest the only thing left to decide was the flavor. Continue reading
Berry and White Chocolate Mousse Parfaits in Mason Jars
One of the best things about summer to me is the impromptu picnics. Or even planned picnics, for that matter.
When I was growing up my parents had a Fourth of July party every year. The planned it for months in advance and it always had a theme. The one I remember most was the Christmas in July party they did. Dad strung Christmas lights (remember the 1960′s big colored lights with the foil reflectors?) all through the landscaping around the deck of the pool.There was some sort of evergreen in one of the corners and he and mom hung Christmas decorations all over it, and put a star at the top. They then bought small gifts for each of the guests and wrapped them in Christmas paper and put them under the tree. One of Dad’s friends played Santa each Christmas for the local, volunteer fire department and he was asked to put on his Santa suit and be Santa for just a few minutes – remember it was July and HOT. Continue reading
Infuse Skewers and Intensify Flavor in Grilled Meat
You have just gotta love summer and all of the fresh flavors that come with it. Ripe, sun warmed tomatoes, tangy strawberries, sweet, icy cold melon, and the absolute favorite of most people – grilled foods.
I prefer foods grilled over wood or charcoal rather than gas grills but we do have a gas grill and Marc is a grilling genius. Still, I think the flavor of food grilled over gas is bland compared to that smoky flavor that comes with wood or charcoal. I am always looking for ways to get more flavor into the ingredients. Marinating the meat is one way to do it and it tenderized the meat at the same time. Recently I tried marinating skewers before grilling some beef and I really liked the result. A lot. Continue reading
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